Method for providing a negative pressure wound therapy pump device

ABSTRACT

A method for providing a device used in association with a negative pressure wound therapy bandage wherein a controller module and a plurality of pump modules are provided to a third party, who leases the controller module and provides the pump modules to an end user. A case for the device may also be provided.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/489,310 filed on May 24, 2011, the entirety of which isincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method for providing/supplying a pump systemfor negative pressure wound therapy.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is one method of treating certainwounds or sores on people. In general, a specialty dressing (or bandage)is placed over a wound site, and connected to a pump system. The pumpsystem provides suction, creating a negative pressure under the bandageat the wound site. Exudates and other materials are removed from thewound site under the influence of the negative pressure. The NPWT wounddressings are single patient use and purchased as needed.

The pump systems, which at retail purchase are quite expensive, aregenerally leased from a medical device supply company (DME) to an “enduser” for the period of time necessary to heal the chronic wound,typically 6-8 weeks. The “end-user” can either be a patient, whoseinsurance carrier makes the lease payments, or a “facility,” such as anursing home or hospital, which will lease the equipment on behalf ofthe patient. Given the relatively short term of use for any one patient,it does not make any financial sense for either a patient or a treatingfacility to own such equipment.

The pumping devices are designed to be durable and capable of beingreused across the care of multiple patients. However, being complexelectromechanical systems, they can break down or otherwise fail,requiring both the end users and the leasing company to maintain asufficient level of inventory. This can be both costly and require alarge amount of space for both the leasing company and the end users.

Moreover, given that the structural component of the system thatperforms the actual pumping of air, the pump, is believed to be the mostlikely element to fail in the pumping system, it would be beneficial forall interested parties, DME and end-users, to be able to employ a systemthat minimizes the cost associated with repairing and using these NPWTpumping systems, and otherwise avoid disposing of the functioningelements in the pumping device.

The present invention is directed to resolving these and other matters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the invention, the invention is directed towards amethod for providing a device to be used in association with a negativepressure wound therapy bandage including the steps of providing acontroller module including a pressure sensor to a third party,providing a first pump module including a pump to the third party,providing a second pump module including a second pump to the thirdparty, wherein the third party leases the controller module to an enduser, and, wherein the controller module removably receives the firstpump module and provides a first negative pressure treatment, andwherein after providing the first negative pressure treatment, the firstpump module can be removed and the second pump module can be insertedinto the controller module for providing a second negative pressuretreatment.

In an embodiment of the invention, the controller module, first pumpmodule and second pump module are provided simultaneously. As usedherein “simultaneously” is intended to mean in the same transaction,and, preferably in the same shipment or package.

In a further embodiment, a first case sized to cover the controllermodule and the first pump module received therein is provided and asecond case sized to cover the controller module and the second pumpmodule received therein is also provided. These may be providedsimultaneously with each other, and may also be provided simultaneouslywith the pump modules.

Yet another embodiment of the invention includes providing a third pumpmodule including a third pump to the third party, and, providing afourth pump module including a fourth pump to the third party. The canbe provided simultaneously with the controller module, first pump moduleand second pump module. These can also be provided in association withcases, which may be provided simultaneously with the pump modules and/orthe controller module.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the invention isdirected to a method for providing a device to be used in associationwith a negative pressure wound therapy bandage by leasing a controllermodule including a pressure sensor to an end user, providing a firstpump module including a pump to the end user, providing a second pumpmodule including a second pump to the end user, wherein the end userutilizes the controller module and the first pump module to provide afirst negative pressure treatment, wherein the controller moduleremovably receives the first pump module, and wherein after providingthe first negative pressure treatment, the first pump module can beremoved and the second pump module can be inserted into the controllermodule for providing a second negative pressure treatment.

As in other embodiments, cases may be provided with the pump modules.Further, the cases, pump modules and/or controller modules may be leasedand/or provided simultaneously. In addition, additional pump modules mayalso be provided.

Further, it is contemplated that in any of these embodiments, one ormore negative pressure wound therapy bandages are provided to the thirdparty in connection with the other devices.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that while theembodiments discusses providing a single controller module and variousnumbers of pump modules, the invention encompasses providing any numberof controller modules and pump modules to the purchaser/end user.

A method according to one or more embodiments of the present inventionis believed to provide numerous benefits.

One or more of the disclosed embodiments, would allow the end users thatlease the controller units to have a large supply replaceable pumpmodules. If the pump module fails before, during, or after negativepressure wound therapy treatment, the end user can simply obtain anotherpump module its own inventory, switch out the pump modules, andbegin/resume a second negative pressure wound therapy treatment.

These methods would also benefit the individuals (people, companies,etc.) that supply the pump devices to the end users because they couldalso create a large inventory of pump modules to provide/sell to the endusers. At the same time, they do not need to maintain such a largeinventory of controller modules that are being leased to cover broken orotherwise non-functioning pump devices. In other words, with othersystems, these suppliers would need enough of an inventory to cover acertain number of pump devices breaking down in the field. However, withone or more of the embodiments of the present invention, the suppliescould minimize the amount of controller modules in inventory, and buildup a larger supply of pump modules.

Further, since the suppliers do not have to build such a large supply ofcontroller modules, the suppliers can minimize their financialinvestment in a non-used inventory. In other words, the suppliers do nothave to spend as much money on controller modules for inventory.

Since the controller modules are intended to be used with differentpatients at different times, it is beneficial to provide disposablecovers to minimize the spread of diseases, bodily fluids and otherwisepromote general cleanliness in the health care environment.

It is to be understood that the aspects and objects of the presentinvention described above may be combinable and that other advantagesand aspects of the present invention will become apparent upon readingthe following description of the drawings and detailed description ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully apparent from the followingdescription and appended claims, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings. Understanding that the accompanying drawingsdepict only typical embodiments, and are, therefore, not to beconsidered to be limiting of the scope of the present disclosure, theembodiments will be described and explained with specificity and detailin reference to the accompanying drawings as provided below.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a device provided according to oneor more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view exploded view of a controller moduleand a plurality of pump modules provided according to one or moreembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front side cutaway view of a device provided according toone or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 4 a-c are a top view of a cover provided according to one or moreembodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described indetail one or more embodiments with the understanding that the presentdisclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principlesof the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to theembodiments illustrated.

Reference throughout this description to features, advantages, objectsor similar language does not imply that all of the features andadvantages that may be realized with the present invention should be orare in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, languagereferring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that aspecific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connectionwith an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the presentinvention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similarlanguage, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily,refer to the same embodiment.

In reference to the attached drawings, the present invention is directedtowards a method of providing a device 10 used in association with anegative pressure wound therapy bandage 12. Typically, tubing 14 isutilized to provide negative pressure from the device 10 to the negativepressure wound therapy bandage 12.

Certain embodiments of the invention include the steps of providing acontroller module 16, and providing a plurality of pump modules 18. Thepump modules 18 contain a pump 22, and preferably a power source 24. Thecontroller module 16 may contain, inter alia, electronics 26, LEDs 28, apressure sensor 30, a check valve 32, and tubing 34.

The controller module 16 and pump modules 18 are typically sold to athird party; however, the present invention contemplates that they maybe leased, rented, lent, or provided free as a demo. As used herein“third party” means a company, person or other entity that does notmanufacture the devices 10, controller modules 16 or pump modules 18 andthat does not administer or otherwise perform negative pressure woundtherapy treatment. However, the present invention contemplates that themanufacturer of the devices 10, controller modules 16 or pump modules 18may be the lessor of the controller module 16.

The third party then leases the controller module 16 to an end user. Asused herein, “end user” means a company, person or other entity thatadministers or otherwise performs negative pressure wound therapytreatment on a patient. The third party also provides pump modules 18 tothe end user. Since the pump modules 18 are meant to be disposed, thistransaction may be a lease, it may be a sale, or they may be providedfree. Alternatively, different number of pump modules 18 may be providedunder different transaction conditions. For example, the first pumpmodule 18 with each controller module 16 may be provided free, andadditional pump modules 18 may be sold, leased, rented, lent, etc.

After the end user performs negative pressure wound therapy on apatient, or if the first pump module 18 fails, the end user can switchout the first pump module 18 for a second pump module 18. After thesecond pump module 18 is used on a patient, the end user can switch outthe second pump module 18 for a third, and so on and so forth. Thisallows the end user, and the third party, to build up a supply of pumpmodules 18, which are relatively inexpensive, while maintaining asmaller supply of controller modules 16, which are relatively expensive.

In certain embodiments, at least one of the pump modules 18 may beprovided simultaneously with the controller modules 16. As will beappreciated, after the initial transaction, subsequent pump modules 18may be provided after the controller module 16 has been provided.

Moreover, certain embodiments include providing a disposable case 20,sized to cover the device 10. It is contemplated that a cover 20 isprovided with each pump module 18 so as to maintain a level ofcleanliness, since the controller module 16 is intended to be used withdifferent patients, while the pump modules 18 are intended to bedisposed of after one use.

As discussed above, a method according to one or more embodiments of thepresent invention is believed to provide a number of advantageous andbenefits in the field of providing negative pressure wound therapy.

It is to be understood that additional embodiments of the presentinvention described herein may be contemplated by one of ordinary skillin the art and that the scope of the present invention is not limited tothe embodiments disclosed. While specific embodiments of the presentinvention have been illustrated and described, numerous modificationscome to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of theinvention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope ofthe accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for providing a device to be used inassociation with a negative pressure wound therapy bandage, comprisingthe steps of: providing a controller module including a pressure sensorto a third party; providing a first pump module to the third party, thefirst pump module comprising a first pump and a first power source;providing a second pump module to the third party, the second pumpmodule comprising a second pump and a second power source; providing athird pump module to the third party, the third pump module comprising athird pump and a third power source; providing a fourth pump module tothe third party, the fourth pump module comprising a fourth pump and afourth power source; wherein the third party leases the controllermodule to an end user; and, wherein the controller module removablyreceives the first pump module and provides a first negative pressuretreatment, and wherein after providing the first negative pressuretreatment, the first pump module can be removed and the second pumpmodule can be inserted into the controller module for providing a secondnegative pressure treatment.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thecontroller module, first pump module and second pump module are providedsimultaneously.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the stepsof: providing a first case sized to cover the controller module and thefirst pump module received therein; and, providing a second case sizedto cover the controller module and the second pump module receivedtherein.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first pump module, thesecond pump module, the third pump module and the fourth pump module areprovided simultaneously.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprisingthe step of: providing a case with each pump module sized to cover thecontroller module and each pump module received therein.
 6. The methodof claim 5, wherein the cases are provided simultaneously with the pumpmodules.
 7. A method for providing a device to be used in associationwith a negative pressure wound therapy bandage, comprising the steps of:leasing a controller module including a pressure sensor to an end user;providing a first pump module to the end user, the first pump modulecomprising a first pump and a first power source; providing a secondpump module to the end user, the second pump module comprising a secondpump and a second power source; providing a third pump module to the enduser, the third pump module comprising a third pump and a third powersource; providing a fourth pump module to the end user, the fourth pumpmodule comprising a fourth pump and a fourth power source; wherein thecontroller module removably receives the first pump module; wherein theend user utilizes the controller module and the first pump module toprovide a first negative pressure treatment; and wherein after providingthe first negative pressure treatment, the first pump module can beremoved and the second pump module can be inserted into the controllermodule for providing a second negative pressure treatment.
 8. The methodof claim 7 wherein the controller module, first pump module and secondpump module are provided simultaneously.
 9. The method of claim 7,further comprising the steps of: providing a first case sized to coverthe controller module and the first pump module received therein; and,providing a second case sized to cover the controller module and thesecond pump module received therein.